California Chrome Sustained Gash to Hoof During Race

California Chrome may have won the Triple Crown had he not suffered a nasty gash to his hoof during the race.

He may hay have injured his hoof right out of the gate, which would give jockey Victor Espinoza a sense of deja vu. A photo taken after the race showed the injury, which Espinoza later Tweeted. 

In 2002, Espinoza was riding War Emblem at the Belmont Stakes for a shot at the Triple Crown when the horse stumbled out of the gate, effectively ending his chances to win the race. 

In hindsight, the laid-back and blue-collar America’s horse ran a courageous race, finishing in a tie for fourth against horses that were a lot fresher than he was with an injured hoof.